What happens when you squeeze DNA? Can pressure reveal something about how our genetic material is packed, protected, and accessed?
Category: genetics – Page 39
How a human ‘jumping gene’ targets structured DNA to reshape the genome
Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) is the only active, self-copying genetic element in the human genome—comprising about 17% of the genome. It is commonly called a “jumping gene” or “retrotransposon” because it can “retrotranspose” (move) from one genomic location to another.
Researchers from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have now unveiled the molecular mechanisms that underlie L1’s retrotransposition and integration into genomic DNA. Their study was published in Science on October 9.
L1 is the only autonomously active retrotransposon in the human genome and serves as the primary vehicle for the mobilization of most other retrotransposons. Its retrotransposition process is mediated by the reverse transcriptase ORF2p through a mechanism known as target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Until now, the manner in which ORF2p recognizes DNA targets and mediates integration had remained unclear.
Christian Maugee — PhD Candidate, University Of Florida — From Patient To Genetics Research Pioneer
From patient to genetics research pioneer — christian maugee — phd candidate, university of florida.
Christian Maugee is a PhD Candidate at the University of Florida, in Genetics and Genomics (http://www.vulpelab.net/graduate-and-undergrad-students.html where his research explores how gene expression differs in the hearts of individuals with Friedrich’s Ataxia (FA), a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease. His work could lead to new insights into the cardiac complications that can be associated with FA and how to potential treat them better.
Christian’s dissertation work is focused on identifying gene modulators of the transcriptional phenotype of FA in human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). He accomplishes this through use of a novel method: Perturb-seq — a CRISPR screen coupled with single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) readout.
Christian is driven by much more than academic curiosity, as he brings a unique and deeply human perspective to his work as someone living with FA. He doesn’t just study the challenges faced by those with disabilities; he lives them. His work is not only informed by data and theory, but by resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to making research more inclusive and impactful.
In the lab, Christian loves mentoring, and outside of the lab he loves fundraising and raising awareness for FA, mainly through FARA (https://www.curefa.org/) and MDA (https://www.mda.org/disease/friedreic…).
Neanderthal-human hybrids may have been scourged by a genetic mismatch
When Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred, a genetic variation affecting red blood cells may have hindered reproduction in women who were hybrids, and this might have played a part in Neanderthals’ demise.
MRI age clocks reveal how each organ ages differently and predict who develops disease or lives longer
Researchers developed seven MRI-based biological age clocks across major organs using UK Biobank imaging, linking each to proteins, metabolites, genetics, disease risks, mortality, and cognitive decline. These organ-specific age gaps reveal how uneven aging shapes vulnerability to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and dementia, opening new paths for precision prevention and clinical trial stratification
Disease-associated radial glia-like cells with epigenetically dysregulated interferon response in MS
Li et al. report that Edwardsiella piscicida employs HigA, an anti-toxin protein, to facilitate the diversion of tryptophan metabolism to the kynurenine pathway, rather than the serotonin pathway, by directly activating IDO1 in a T6SS-dependent manner as a cross-kingdom effector. The serotonin-level fluctuation modulates host intestinal histological damage and bacterial infection.
How To Track And Optimize Biomarkers: Blood Test #6 in 2025
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Discount Links/Affiliates:
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Epigenetic, Telomere Testing: https://trudiagnostic.com/?irclickid=U-s3Ii2r7xyIU-LSYLyQdQ6…M0&irgwc=1
Use Code: CONQUERAGING
NAD+ Quantification: https://www.jinfiniti.com/intracellular-nad-test/
Tyk2 Targeting in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
The Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activating protein (STAT) pathways mediate the intracellular signaling of cytokines in a wide spectrum of cellular processes. They participate in physiologic and inflammatory cascades and have become a major focus of research, yielding novel therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Genetic linkage has related dysfunction of Tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2)—the first member of the Jak family that was described—to protection from psoriasis. Furthermore, Tyk2 dysfunction has been related to IMID prevention, without increasing the risk of serious infections; thus, Tyk2 inhibition has been established as a promising therapeutic target, with multiple Tyk2 inhibitors under development.
🌿 International Conference “Anti-Aging: Science and Practice of Healthy Longevity” —
October 21–22, 2025 (Online) 🌿
Dear colleagues and friends.
We are pleased to invite you to the International Scientific Conference “Anti-Aging: Science and Practice of Healthy Longevity”, organized by the Gerontology Section of the Moscow Society of Naturalists (MOIP) at Lomonosov Moscow State University, with the support of the Gerontology Society of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (URAN).
📅 Dates: October 21–22, 2025 🕛 Time: 12:00–16:00 (Moscow time) 💻 Format: Online participation (free of charge) 🗣️ Working language: Russian.
🔹 October 21 — “Hypoxic Training (Therapy): Modern Aspects of Healthy Longevity Medicine” 🔹 October 22 — “Fundamental and Clinical Gerontology as the Basis of Healthy Longevity Medicine”
The conference will feature leading scientists from Russia, Germany, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and other countries. Topics include: • Hypoxic therapy and adaptive mechanisms; • Geroprotection and the biology of aging; • Epigenetic reprogramming and cellular rejuvenation; • Applied aspects of active and healthy longevity.
🔗 Connection links: • Day 1 (October 21): https://my.mts-link.ru/j/38630705/5798697072